Five Nigerian players have learned their opponents for the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 following Friday’s draw at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
The ceremony paired the eight winners of the knockout phase play-offs with the top eight teams from the league phase, setting up a series of intriguing fixtures across Europe.
Super Eagles midfielder Papa Daniel will see his NK Celje side take on Greek outfit AEK Athens. Daniel has made five appearances in the competition so far and will be aiming to play a bigger role as Celje target progression.
Papa Daniel. Photo Credit: Celje/X
Defender Emmanuel Uchenna and Sparta Prague have been drawn against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, while Godswill Ekpolo faces a stern test as AEK Larnaca prepare to meet Premier League representatives Crystal Palace.
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Midfielder Chrisantus Uche had featured for Palace during the league phase but will not participate in the knockout rounds after being omitted from the revised squad list following winter reinforcements.
Emmanuel Uchenna. Photo Credit: Sparta Prague/X
Elsewhere, Abubakar Ghali and Sigma Olomouc were paired with German side Mainz, while Taofeek Ishmaeel’s Lech Poznan will tackle Ukrainian heavyweights Shakhtar Donetsk.
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The first legs of the Round of 16 ties are scheduled for 12 March, with the return fixtures set for 19 March as the competition moves into its decisive knockout phase.
Full UEFA Conference League Round of 16 draw
Lech Poznan vs Shakhtar Donetsk
AZ Alkmaar vs Sparta Prague
Crystal Palace vs AEK Larnaca
Fiorentina vs Rakow
Samsunspor vs Rayo Vallecano
Celje vs AEK Athens
Sigma Olomouc vs Mainz
Rijeka vs Strasbourg
